Negative thinking is very common. Especially when it’s directed at ourselves. The more we confirm a thought, the easier it is to believe it.
One of my biggest struggles is deprecation and negativity towards myself. I have no clue where this habit comes from, what made me so down on myself, or how this type of toxicity made it’s home. What I do know…IT IS NOT OKAY.
In fact, my husband often tells me, “No one can talk about my wife that way. Not even my wife.” I picture God saying the same, “No one can talk about my child that way. Not even my child.” Then I realize, this is a problem…IT NEEDS TO CHANGE.
Deterioration
We all know the image of a slow drip on a rock. At first, the drip doesn’t look to be doing much damage, but over time we can see the true impact the water has on such a hard surface. This deterioration is slow and insignificant. Until it isn’t; there’s a giant hole in the rock.
This is what happens in our minds. A minuscule thought passes through. Then again, and again, and again. Until, in a moment, the thought is acceptable and becomes “reality”. We surrender to the drip, and our reality becomes warped. Deteriorated.
My Lie
As I said at the beginning, I’m not sure where this negativity actually started. However, I can pinpoint specific times in my elementary stage of life.
Hear me: ELEMENTARY AGE! I’m 30 years old, Y’all. That’s a long time of dripping. So you can understand why this could be a struggle for me.
I can remember what was happening and how I felt…
In walks Comparison, like he belonged.
Thus began the drip. I believed that because I didn’t look like, act like, think like someone else, I didn’t have a place. I believed, because my legs weren’t skinny, I had a mole on my face, I was short, I couldn’t be considered beautiful. HEAR ME: ELEMENTARY AGE! Yes, I’m yelling, because that’s absurd.
Transformation
Here’s the thing, I know how absurd that sounds, but that is the persistent, constant notion on repeat when I see myself. However, with age comes new things to compare. My thoughts have evolved from not only including deprecation on my image, but negativity towards my creativity, spirituality, eating habits, parenting… The list goes on.
How can I ever transform the chasm that is my lack of self-esteem, into a substantial path of “God-esteem”? How do I re-pave my mind to know just because I have accepted lies for so long, does NOT mean they are true?
Confirm The Truth
Rewiring the brain is difficult…but it’s not impossible. When we commit to seeking the truth, we will find it. Because I am a Christian, I believe that I am not my own, I am bought with a price, I belong to the King. So, I look to the King to confirm the truth…
I am a child of God.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-
John 1:12, NIV
I am an heir with Christ.
And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Romans 8:17, TLB
I am a new creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV
I am chosen, holy and beloved of God.
God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others.
Colossians 3:12, NLV
May I just point out on this one: “You should be kind to others”. THIS INCLUDES OURSELVES.
It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.
1 Thessalonians 1:4, MSG
My body is blessed.
Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, TLB
My mind is protected by God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7, NIV
The True Reality
I could have added things like “My legs are skinny”, “My art is good”, “My parenting is enough”. But, all of those things are relative and surface level. When I set my affirmations on the solid rock that is Jesus, my deteriorated rock begins to fill. The drip subsides, and I confirm complete/whole confidence through Him.
When I set my affirmations on the solid rock that is Jesus, my deteriorated rock begins to fill. The drip subsides, and I confirm complete/whole confidence through Him. Click To Tweet
I would like to leave you with a scripture Paul left the early believers. I believe it can confirm and wrap my words in a neat bow…
And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.
Philippians 4:8, TLB
